| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Bill (The). | | |
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The nose, also called the beak. Hence, “Billy” is slang for a pocket-handkerchief. | 1 |
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| “Lastly came Winter, clothed all in frize, |
| Chattering his teeth for cold that did him chill; |
| Whilst on his hoary beard his breath did freeze; |
| And the dull drops that from his purple bill [nose], |
| As from a limbeck, did adown distill.” | |
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Spenser: Faërie Quecene, canto vii. |
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